MUSLIM 2GS SEEK INROADS TOWARD INTEGRATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MILAN 000237 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2019 TAGS: PHUM SMIG PGOV SCUL IT SUBJECT: MUSLIM 2GS SEEK INROADS TOWARD INTEGRATION Classified By: P/E CHIEF BENJAMIN WOHLAUER FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D) 1.(C) Summary: The National Conference of Second-Generation Muslims was held in Turin on December 1-2 focusing on those issues with which this growing population is most concerned, including: citizenship, education, employment, and the politics of integration. Speakers also touched on mosque construction - much in the news in northern Italy and over the border in Switzerland. Included among the speakers were international and Italian academics, leaders in civic and not-for-profit organizations, local government officials, and a few members of the Association of Young Muslims in Italy. While the slated content and credentials were impressive, and the seats full of attendees eager to talk about growth and change, the absence of actual plans for improvement and inclusion concerned those who see disenfranchisement as a possible precursor to extremism. End Summary 2.(SBU) The National Conference of Second-Generation Muslims, held in Turin on December 1-2, was organized by the Italian Center for Peace in the Middle East (CIPMO),a non-profit organization aimed at encouraging Arab, Israeli and Palestinian dialogue. Financial support and patronage for CIPMO and the conference originated from the municipality of Milan, the regions of Lombardia and Piemonte, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Caripolo Foundation. A broad array of speakers were assembled to discuss issues facing this rapidly expanding segment of Italy's immigrant population, including Mario Morcone, head of the Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration in the Interior Ministry. Unfortunately, there was a noticeable lack of second-generation Muslims speaking at the event with only two giving voice to the concerns of their community. 3.(SBU) One of the key topics debated was educational opportunities. Participants discussed the situation in Italian schools for second-generation immigrant (2G) students. The local media has paid significant attention to the topic recently, highlighting the increasing numbers of immigrant children in Italian classrooms and the fact that in some areas, Italian children are in the minority. With the continuing decline of the Italian birthrate and an overall negative population growth, and the increasing number of 2G and immigrant children, particularly in the north, this phenomenon is on the rise. One speaker reiterated the problem that 2G young people are considered immigrants despite their Italian birth and pointed out that they now outnumber new immigrants in many areas. Although the need for cultural and linguistic pluralism in the classroom is evident, no one presented a proposal for making it a reality. No one raised the hot-button question of crucifixes in the classroom but there was recognition that if space or time is reserved for one religion it must be done for all. 4.(SBU) Another issue of keen interest to 2G immigrants of all faiths is the right and opportunity to work. Although Italian national labor statistics are not differentiated by religion, Lombardy has completed a survey of immigrant workers on the impact their faith has upon their employment. Conference participants discussed the data which concluded that prejudices experienced by 2G and newcomer Muslims at initial employment stages (interviews, hiring) does not seems to carry over into actual employment. Overall statistics for Muslim workers were comparable to other immigrant laborers. That said, it was clear from the survey responses that because it is difficult enough to find employment, most Muslim workers do not ask for accommodation to practice their faith, including time for prayer, fasting, etc. Unfortunately, as the presenter pointed out, the survey did not capture the experience of a growing segment of the 2G Muslim population, that of the university-educated seeking professional positions. Some raised the concern that the lack of government support and the opportunity to integrate and participate civically could lead to increased extremism, particularly among those with the education and skills that are attractive to terrorist recruiters. 5.(SBU) Though not solely a "2G" issue, the issue of mosque construction was discussed as well - inspired by the Swiss ban on minarets that lead the headlines the day the conference began. All speakers denounced the law declaring that any such referendum in Italy would be "unconstitutional." Although mosque projects across northern Italy are stalled for a variety of stated reasons, many at the conference argued that it is the selective enforcement of laws and regulations that is the greatest hurdle on the path to development. Though people oppose other building projects based on aesthetics, one expert noted, only mosque s seem to generate opposition to their very right to be built. 6.(C) In the only real moment of issue-specific debate in the MILAN 00000237 002 OF 002 conference, local government officials from Turin and Milan briefly bantered about the push for new mosques in their respective cities. According to Ilda Curti, Assessore for Immigration and Integration in Turin, the new mosque project there, funded entirely by the Moroccan government, is progressing smoothly with the cooperation of city leaders. She described the Northern League-proposed regulation that a mosque can't be built within one kilometer of a church as absurd since, in Italy, that leaves just about nowhere. In her words, "worship needs proximity." Interestingly, the Turin plans do not breach this boundary nor do they call for a minaret as it would violate a city ordinance on building towers. From the progressive approach of Turin, the floor was passed to Aldo Brandirali, the President of the Social Service Commission in Milan, who began with "From the heaven that is Turin to the hell that is Milan." Although he acknowledged that a portion of his own political coalition, Forza Italy, wants to "restrain" freedom of religion, he claimed that the city had established "a path for communities to follow in proposing places of worship." There has been much debate in Milan as members of the Muslim community call for the construction of a large central mosque while city leaders have claimed that several smaller, population-controlled places of worship are a better option. Brandirali also indicated that the controversial mosque-building proposal in Milan is now in the hands of Milan's Prefect (the senior federal law enforcement official in the city),essentially absolving city leaders from further responsibility. 7.(SBU) For the nearly half a million 2G immigrants in Italy, educational and workplace integration and the ability to worship freely are key. However, as many pointed out, in the end an easier road to citizenship is the one true guarantor of civic participation and responsible integration. Summing up the fundamental issue facing 2G immigrants, Fatima Zahara Habibeddine of the Association of Young Muslims in Italy, stressed that until Muslims have the opportunity to meaningfully participate in the community as citizens, they can not truly integrate. That opportunity to participate will not come, according to Habibeddine, until Italians, particularly those in government, recognize their rights of citizenship. She concluded by described the plight faced by many who, while awaiting citizenship, can not leave Italy for years at a time. "It is ironic," she said, "that these people you (Italy) appear not to want in the country are prevented from leaving it." Habibeddine was referring to the requirement of 18 years of uninterrupted residency that is necessary for a second-generation immigrant to apply for citizenship. Should the applicant leave Italy for a period of three months or more during the required period, the residency "clock" resets at zero and the 18 year required period must begin again upon return before an application for citizenship will be considered. 8.(C) Comment: The purpose of the National Conference of Second Generation Muslims, organized by the Center for Peace in the Middle East, was to generate dialogue about the rights and duties of citizenship of 2G Muslims in Italy. With the number of 2G children born here increasing 13.2% in the last year and an expectation that this trend will continue, there was universal recognition that changes and improved efforts toward inclusion for all immigrants, and 2G young Muslims in particular, are necessary and overdue. However, of the thirty-five speakers at the conference, only six were Muslim. Of them, only half were second-generation immigrants. For a conference designed to discuss the issues important to this segment of the population, relatively little was heard in their own voices. Those that did speak from the 2G community expressed frustration with the endless talk and limited action on issues that all have recognized as essential for the past several years. Action in these areas is important as there is true concern that continued disenfranchisement can lead young Muslims to seek an alternative, and quite possibly more extremist community, where he or she can belong. End Comment Wohlauer